Trolling cradle



Feb. 4,1936. R. P. HARRINGTQN 2,030,000

TROLLING CRADLE Filed July 50, 1935 04 5 I 59. Ema/M9 601 BY r ATTORNEY Patented Feb. '4, 19 36 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,030,000 momma CRADLE Roland P.- Harrington, Washington, D. 0. Application July 30, 1935, Serial No. 33,901

6 Claims. (Ci. 4327) trolling equipment in which weights of selected 10 a construction of balanced support for the weight for a trolling line with means for preventing spinning forces from being transmitted to. the line.

Still another object of my invention is to pro- 15 vide a construction of weight carrier for trolling lines having means for interchangeably mounting weights of selected mass on the carrier for meeting various conditions encountered in trolling.

A further object of my invention is to provide 20. a construction of weight support adapted to be interposed between a trolling line and a baited spinner line for maintaining the spinner line in proper position while trolling and at the same time precluding the transmission of twisting 25 forces along the trolling line.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a'construction of cradle formed from a single wire member for selectively supporting weights of various sizes for use in trolling under in the specification hereinafter following by 'refer- 40 one. to the accompanying drawing, in which:

' e 1 a pictorial illustration showing the manner in which the trolling cradle of my invention is used in trolling; Fig. 2 is an elevational view showing the trolling cradle of my invention 45 in use and illustrating the manner of connecting the trolling cradle between the trolling line and the bait line; Fig.3 is a perspective view of the trolling cradle showing a weight of selected mass in position; Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing 50 the trolling cradle unlatched for the removal and replacement of a weight of desired mass for meeting bait conditions in trolling; and Fig. 5 shows the form of replaceable weight supported by the trolling cradle of my invention.

55 My invention is directed to a construction of mass may be supported in a trolling cradle and interposed between the trolling line and the bait line for avoiding the transmission of any twisting forces from the bait line to thetrolling line. 5 The trollingcradle of my invention is formed from a single wire member bent upon itself in symmetrical arrangement to provide eyelets at opposite ends thereof for receiving a connection from a trolling line atone end of the cradle and a connection to a bait line at the opposite end of the cradle; By the provision of latch members at each end ofvthe cradle, weights of differing mass may bereadily attached to the cradle. The selection of a weight of a predetermined mass -is highly important in trolling depending upon the speed of movement of the trolling boat and the agility of the fish. For example, for relatively fast trolling speeds, a weight of larger mass will be employed than that which would be required for slower trolling speeds. The mounting of the weighted mass is symmetrical and twisting of the trolling line is avoided regardless of the spinning of the artificial bait or the pull of the fish on the end of the bait line.

Referring to the drawing in more detail, reference character I designates the weighted mass which is supported by the cradle 2. The cradle 2 comprises a single length of wire having a central longitudinally extending portion with end portions of the wire bent around the iongitudinally extending portion, as indicated at 3 and l, to provide eyelets 5 and G. The ends of the wire are twisted around the central longitudinally extending-portion and then extended at right angles depending downwardly from the central portion 2, as indicated at i and 8. The downwardly depending portions 1 and 8 are each bent upwardly upon themselves to provide bowed loop members 9 and I0, respectively. The end 40 of each loop member terminates in a hook, as represented at H and 12.. The weighted mass 1 has eyelets i3 and lkin opposite ends thereof which eyelets are of a sufficient size to allow the hook-shaped ends Ii and I2 to be passed weights of different sizes may be readily suspended in the cradle. In Fig. 5, I have illustrated the weight l5 of relatively smaller mass than ,the weight I adapted to be connected through eyelets l6 and i!- with the depending ends of the cradle. It will be understood that weights of various sizes may be supported in the trolling cradle.

The trolling line has been indicated at ll connected with the eyelet 6 01' the cradle through a swivel J'oint indicated at IS. The swivel joint is constituted by a coupling member 20 into which the headed ends 2| and 22 project.

The opposite end of the cradle having eyelet 5 is connected to a swivel joint indicated at 23 constituted by a coupling member 24 into which headed ends 25 and 26 extend. Headed end 25 may revolve as eyelet 21 which is connected therewith revolves, but such twisting or revolving action is not imparted to the cradle because of the swiveling of headed end 26 connected to eyelet 28 through coupling member 24. The leader wire 29 to the spinner spoon connects with the eyelet 21. The leader wire to the spinner spoon connects to the looped end 30 of the spinner spoon which connects to the fish hook 3| through the customary linkage. The spinner spoon is indicated generally at 32. The usual camouflage devices or feathers 33 are provided adjacent the fish hook 3| and spoon 32.

As represented in Fig. 1, the cradle carrying the weighted mass is used in trolling and as indicated in Fig. 1, a fish 34 has been attracted by the spinner spoon 32 which simulates a fish as it is drawn through the water in the course of trolling and has snapped it and become caught on the fish hook 3|. The fish will give considerable fight under normal conditions but the force imparted to the line l8 will be longitudinal or tensioned in character and not twisting or rotative. Similarly, in the course of trolling, the

spinner spoon 32 or fish fighting on the hook 3| do not impart twisting or rotative force to the line I3 as such twisting or rotative movement is prevented by the coaction of the coupling members l3 and 23 and the weighted carrier.

Where the speed of trollingis increased, I may find it desirable to remove a relatively light ballast weight and insert a heavier ballast weight to prevent twisting movement of the spinner spoon from being imparted to the line l3.

Various modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts of the trolling equipment oi. my. invention and while I- have described myinvention in one of its pre- .ferred embodiments, I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my invention are symmetrically arranged carrier, swivel means interpo'sed between one end of the carrier and the trolling line, separate swivel means interposed between the carrier and the spinner line, and means for removably mounting a weightedmass on said carrier.

2. Trolling apparatus comprising in combination with a trolling line and a spinner line, a cradle-like member constituted by a single wire element bent upon itself, said wire element having a longitudinally extending portion with eyelets formed on each end thereof and depending portions at each end of the longitudinally extending portion, a swivel connection between the trolling line and the eyelet on one end of the longitudinally extending portion of the eradle, a swivel connection between the eyelet at the other end thereof and said spinner line, and means for detachably mounting a weighted mass on the depending ends of said wire-like member.

3. Trolling apparatus comprising in combination with a trolling line and a spinner line, .a cradle constituted by a wire-like member having a longitudinally extending portion and end portions bent upon themselves around said longitudinally extending portion and depending therefrom and providing eyelets, a swivel connection between the eyelet at one end of said longitudinally extending portion and said trolling line, a separate swivel connection between the eyelet at the other end of said longitudinally ex-'- tending member and said spinner line, loops formed on the depending ends'of said wire-like member, and means for detachably connecting a weighted mass between said loops.

4. Trolling apparatus comprising in combination witha trolling line and a spinner line, a cradle constituted by a wire-like member having a longitudinally extending portion and end portions bent upon themselves around said longitudinally extending portion and depending therefrom and providing eyelets, a swivel connection between the eyelet at one end of said longitudinally extending portion and said trolling line, a separate swivel connection between the eyelet at the other end of said longitudinally extending member and said spinner line, loops formed on the dependingends of said wire-like member, hook-shaped portions formed on the extremities of each of said loops for engaging the depending ends of the wire-like member, and a detachable weighted mass connected with said loops and adapted to be locked with respect thereto by engagement of the hook-shaped extremities of said wire-like member with the said loops.

'5. Trolling apparatus comprising a wire-like cradle, a trolling line, a spinner line means interconnecting said trolling line with one end of said wire-like cradle, means interconnecting said spinner line with the other end of said-wirelike cradle, and a longitudinally extending weight removably connectible between opposite ends of said wirelike cradle.

6. Trolling apparatus comprising a wire-like cradle, a trolling line, a spinner line, means interconnecting said trolling line with one end of said wire-like cradle, means interconnecting said spinner line with the other end of said wirelike cradle, and an elongated weight having eyelets in each end thereof connectible with oppositeends of said wire-like cradle, the axis thereof extending substantially parallel to the axis of the wire-like cradle.

' ROLAND P. HARRINGTON. 

